Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

For many, a little of this joking will go a long way; devoted fans, however, will wish for a double-bill. Count me closer to the latter group.

There are still enough bad makeup jobs, pretentious lines, and coy sexual situations to give the chattering puppets plenty of fodder.

If you're in the mood for some knuckleheaded comedy at the expense of -- in mad scientist Dr. Forrester's words -- "a stinky cinematic suppository called This Island Earth," then get thee to some place playing MST3K.

It's a fun enough way to pass the time. And fans of the TV version of MST3K certainly won't be disappointed. But it would be just as much -- if not more -- fun watching it in your own living room with a bunch of rowdy pals.

[MSTies] can rest assured that the movie is about as funny as a typical episode of the show that is, pretty darn funny in a sly and satirical sort of way. For others, the movie can serve as a good introduction to the whole MST3K phenomenon.

As the gags pile up remorselessly, and the viewer strains to keep up with the story line and the cutting subtext, a furious but benign apnea takes hold. You can't enjoy a good long laugh because you'll miss too much.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie is about a third as funny as it thinks it is. Still, that's pretty funny and about twice as funny as most American comedies these days.

The show provides a prodigious number of giggles, and it's so short (well under 90 minutes) that you'll have plenty of time to rent the original This Island Earth and test out wisecracks of your own.

The film is a vindication of bad taste, and of the principle that mocking well is the best revenge.

Fans (O.K., MSTies) will find new and larger sets and slightly better special effects.

The incorporated tale of large-craniumed alien scientists, bug-headed mutants and a heavily mascaraed heroine in a pointy-brassiered jumpsuit proves fine fodder for the MST3K writers and performers.

This may only be a moderately funny example of the movie-spoofing series, but this MST3K feature is still the funniest movie to appear in theaters this year.